Monday 8 July 2013

The Plan...



I've been thinking about walking Te Araroa for a while. And you know how it is, an opportunity presents itself and you can either go for it or hope it will come around again. In my case, my employer couldn't tell me what role they wanted to place me in after coming back from an overseas post.... and I thought, hmmmmm. How about five months leave? Sold!

And I have been quietly putting things together, reading blogs, and planning. Only to wake up to the fact that it is only about seven weeks away before I should be standing at Cape Reinga and pointing my nose South! Holy crap. Better get cracking then.

Why am I doing this? Ok, mostly because I can. But selfishness aside, it was suggested to me to use my time to raise funds for a worthwhile cause, and that appeals. I'm working on that part, and getting word out, so stay tuned.

The basic plan of attack is to take things slowly at first. Plan the first week in detail, see how things go. Adapt, adjust, roll with the punches. I've walked El Camino de Santiago in Spain, which was just amazing and life-affirming. I was going to go back seven years later, but thought I could do better. See what my own back yard has to offer.

That's it! My first blog too, you will notice this because it is a bit pokey and no bells and whistles... I'll try to flash things up as I go! For anyone interested, I'll also post soonish my equipment list so you can ridicule me for my gear choices :-) Hey, if you don't have a sense of humour... you know how it goes.

Cheers!
Kiwiscout

8 comments:

  1. I'm up for a laugh and a catch up. You never know half your luck I might even walk part of the track with you. Unlike some I don't have 5 months worth of leave stored up...

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    1. No worries mate, am hoping to meet up with some of 'the team' along the way! Keep in touch, I'm sure you will pick a stupidly hard part and decide to do some armed tramping...

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  2. Awesome,

    I'm very much looking forward to reading about your trip.

    The Te Araroa trail has been right at the top of my list for quite some time but it'll have to wait a few more years :).

    Best of luck to you :)

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    1. Cheers Wookie, good luck in your planning!

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  3. I think it's cool that both you and I are taking a mini-retirement at the same time. Have a blast Pat and we should talk about Hazel coming for a short walk with you at some stage along the way :)

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  4. Hey! I came across your blog through the hammock forums. I'm Canadian and lived/worked/travelled in New Zealand for one year in 2007-2008. I loved your country and wish I knew about the Te Araroa back then! I'll follow your blog closely.

    Have fun!

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    1. Cheers Cedric, hope you enjoyed the last time you were here!

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